Both wireless service and broadband internet are important, but they're absolutely pivotal during the coronavirus outbreak as people need to communicate with family, friends, and co-workers.
So in response to the ongoing pandemic, several service providers are removing data caps for their customers.
Some companies took action in the last week, and others are just now getting on board with similar measures. Here's what we know so far about what the major companies are doing.
Verizon
Verizon says it's expecting a significant increase in data usage, but is confident customers should be able to stay online throughout this global crisis.
Customers with Fios or 5G Home don't need to worry about much, as Verizon doesn't impose data caps on those services.
Residential and small business customers, though, will get a pass on late fees for the next 60 days.
And sounds like Verizon will not turn off broadband internet or wireless service for these customers while the coronavirus outbreak gets dealt with.
Further, the company's Wi-Fi hotspots are open to all Americans during the same period.
Verizon has decided to accelerate its transition to 5G, too.
It'll allocate as much as an additional $1.5 billion toward the technology to "help support the economy during this period of disruption." Customers with 5G-ready devices can latch onto the next-generation network today, and the increased investment should expand its coverage and reliability.
We'll have to see how that plays out in actual customer experience; stay up to date there with our Race to 5G tracker.
AT&T
Late fees are deactivated, and AT&T committed to not terminate any of its services if customers are unable to pay immediately.
Low-income households, meanwhile, can still sign up for "Access from AT&T" to obtain wireless service for $10 per month.
AT&T also lifted data caps for customers with broadband internet, letting them get online without limitations.
It's important as many Americans are pushed out of their employers' offices and into a work-from-home setting that requires a stable connection for several hours per day.
AT&T's broadband internet plans often charge sizable overage fees, but they're suspended as the Dallas-based company grapples with the coronavirus outbreak and its ramifications.
Hotspots operated by AT&T are now open to the general public as well.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile has unlocked unlimited data on all plans for the next 60 days.
Both T-Mobile and Metro customers also get 20B of mobile hotspot service per month, and international calls to select countries impacted by the coronavirus are free.
Customers aren't on the hook for late fees or at risk of terminated service, either.
Sprint
Sprint, which should close on its merger with T-Mobile this spring, will also offer unlimited data to all customers and attach 20GB of mobile hotspot data.
Additionally, this carrier decided to implement free international calling.
Since they're merging soon, Sprint and T-Mobile are rolling out identical benefits to their customers.
Late fees are waived, too.
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Comcast
Comcast has opted to pause its 1TB data cap.
Over the next 60 days, all Xfinity customers are getting unlimited broadband internet and don't need to worry about late fees or termination of service if they miss a payment.
Wi-Fi hotspots, which Comcast offers throughout the United States, are open to all in need of a nearby wireless connection.
Xfinity customers with the Internet Essentials plan are getting two months of free broadband internet.
Comcast is also raising data speeds to 25/3 megabits per second.
New and existing customers on this plan will receive the free two months of access as well as Comcast's upgraded downstream and upstream speeds.
Spectrum
For households with school- and college-aged kids who don't have a Spectrum broadband subscription, Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days at any service level up to 100Mbps.
It will also open up hotspots for public use.
Those who already have Spectrum broadband do not have data caps they could cross.
